Inscryption Review

Inscryption initially released October 19th, 2021, on PC and has since expanded to PS4/5, Switch, and the Xbox One & Series X/S consoles. This review was done on a PS5 console. Daniel Mullins Games, previously known for their work on The Hex and Pony Island, has a history of creating games with enticing mechanics and spinning intriguing narratives. He continues that trend with Inscryption, a single-player digital card game with a creepy vibe attached.

During this review, we will be covering mild spoilers in our gameplay and story coverage, so be advised. I would recommend this game to anyone who loves the digital card game genre as well as to anyone who enjoys a thought-provoking challenge. While this game does contain elements of horror, hardcore horror enthusiasts will be disappointed as the game leans more towards mystery/sci-fi/thriller than it does horror.

Gameplay

As a card game, there is going to be a learning curve as new mechanics are introduced. The game also acts as a rogue-lite with a new path toward the big boss being created every time you die. Every time you battle your opponent in this game, you have two decks. One is full of creatures (i.e., squirrels) who require nothing to be played, can be played in any number (as long as they are in your hand), but have no combat power. The second deck is full of cards that you earn during the course of a run. You earn these cards either in the video game's meta-world, where you can step away from the card table and search the cabin you're in, or through events that happen on the table. You can also experience events that allow you to sacrifice cards to help empower other cards, as well as meet other characters (though they are all played by your opponent) who will offer to help you with wood carvings, trading of pelts, and selling you powerful items that can help you survive the game.

The game is broken up into three acts, and the mechanics covered above are mainly featured throughout Act 1. While the gameplay adheres to the card game genre in the following acts, the rules are given small shake-ups to keep the player engaged. Moments after you've mastered the game and defeated the big bad, you find yourself learning the new rules and discovering new cards. This makes the game even more similar to popular trading card games like Magic: The Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh!, with the franchises receiving subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) nods in the game. While all of this may appear to be an intimidating time commitment, I was able to complete the game's story in less than 24 hours, and hltb.com reports an average playtime of 12.5 hours.

Story

Again, the story of the game is hard to talk about without revealing a few plot points. I'm going to try to keep the cards close to my chest, but in preference of giving a detailed review, be forewarned that there will be mild spoilers in this section. With that said, the game focuses on the player trapped inside a cabin with a stranger shrouded in darkness. The player is forced to play this card game in order to gain information on how to escape, and every time the player dies (failing twice between bosses), they are taken to a room and photographed, with the stranger's magic camera trapping the character into a picture, which then takes characteristics from the cards that the player had in their deck.

Something to keep in mind is that game will break into the meta, starting the menu screen. When players first boot the game up, they are unable to select a new game file, instead being forced to continue a game that had already been started. This is the first hint that not all is as it seems in the game world. The further into the acts the player gets, the more information they unlock about this story, which only works as more fuel to keep them engaged and working towards unlocking the next secret.

Audio/Video

While there is dialogue in the game, the majority of it is done in text boxes with no voice actors. That said, the separation of what sections require audio and which don't only helps the separation of the meta that Inscryption begins to seep itself into. Even without audible dialogue, the music that is featured throughout the entire game helps to set the tone, regardless of if you are facing an extremely odd foe like The Angler or if you have just discovered one of the many secrets that have been hidden throughout the cabin.

There is an odd visual style that helps the game's creepy vibes continue, but the developer really flexes his strength in the third and final act. While I would love to share the nostalgia and awe, I felt going through that gauntlet of a finale, such a beautiful closing arc is best experienced firsthand. But I will say that every single art style used throughout the game was done with thought. Mullins clearly knew what the intentions of their characters were and what sorts of worlds they wanted to build and to help convey all these emotions, they put together a wonderful soundtrack and an extremely impressive portfolio of art.

Overall Summary

Despite the game's short playtime, there is replay value for those who enjoyed the core mechanics. Those game mechanics are well thought out and left me both longing to fire up the console once again, as well as picking up some new trading cards at the local game store.

As if the ever-evolving mechanics weren't enough, the story kept me hooked as I worked to find a way to escape this crazy stranger's cabin and learn more about the meta-story that was at play in the background of this wild adventure. The music and art were all pluses, and while I'd initially groan at a sudden change, it would be more because I had grown to love the art and wanted more. The fact that I experienced that emotion multiple times shows that these elements perform well at enrapturing the player and immersing them into the world.

Overall, I'll give this game a 10/10! With one of my only complaints being the playtime, sometimes the developers really do know when enough is enough. It truly is better to be left with a satisfying ending than to be left exhausted by a seemingly never-ending game.